blanohard



-(No Model) I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

V. W. BLANOHARD.v

FIRE ESCAPE AND WATER CONDUCTOR.

No. 298,168 Patented May 6, 18-84.

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N. Prrzns. FlwwLlliwgnpller. Washingln. no.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

V. W. BLANGHARD.

FIRE ESCAPE AND WATER CONDUCTOR.

Patented May 6, 1884.

(No- Model.) '3 She etsSheet 3.

v W. BLANGHAR'D. EIRE ESCAPE AND WATER GONDUGTORE No. 298,163! PatentedMay 6, 1884 N. PETERS. Phnm-Lllhogmphen Washinglun. ii a NITED STATESVIRGIL' W. BLANOHARD, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIRE-ESCAPE AND WATER-CONDUCTOl K.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,163, dated May 6,1884.

Application filed January 18, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: 11

Be it known that I, VIRGIL IV. BLANOHARD, of New York city, in thecounty of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements'in a Combined Ladder and Fire-Extinguisher; and I dohereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, which form part of thisspecification. 7 I

This invention relates-to certain improvements in fire-escapes; and ithas for its objects to provide a ladder which may be permanentlyattached to the outer wall of a building, and which may be foldedagainst the same when not in use and unfolded in case of a fire, so asto afford a ready means of escape for the occupants of the building, asmore fully hereinafter specified. These objects I attain by the meansillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-' Figure l is avertical section of a building showing my improved fire-escape5 Fig. 2,an enlarged cross-section of the ladder, its support, and one of thejoint-closers for the rungs; Fig. 3, an enlarged front View of a portionof the ladder unfolded; Fig. 4, an edge view of the ladder-support.Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views in cross-section; and Figs. 7, 8, 9, and10 are enlarged views illustrating 'a modification of the ladder. 1

The lettenA indicates the front wall of a building against which myimproved ladder is erected.

B designates a support,which may be tubular or solid, which is securelyanchored to the said wall, so as to form a permanent structure. Thissupport or pipe forms one of the uprights of the ladder, and itmay becomposed of sec tions suitably boltedtogether, and extending from apoint near the sidewalk to the cornice or roof of the building, asindicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The letter G indicates a supporting-cover, which is the movable uprightof the ladder,

and which is rectangular in cross-section, as.

shown in Figs. 2 and 6, and to which the rungs of the ladder arepivoted, as will be described hereinafter.

means of a shouldered bolt, 0".

' E designates an angular bracket, which is suitably secured to orformed on the support B, and constructed with-a flange, b, a lip, b, anda cylindrical stud, c.

On the stud c is applied a cap, c, which is secured in its place, butallowed to swivel, by The neck of the cap 0 has firmly secured into it arod, (1,

which passes through a tube, cl, preferably of wood, through an angularend piece, F, and receives a nut on its end, as shown in Fig.2. Theangular piece F is'pivoted to the movable upright G by means of ashouldered bolt, 0, which also passes through an angularstiifening-strap, G, riveted to said upright. Each rung is pivoted tothe uprights A G, as above described, thus allowing the upright G to befolded up closely against the support B, as shown in Fig. 6, in whichposition the rungs and their joints will be covered and protected by theangular upright G and the parts I) b. If desired, the flange b, the lip12, and the stud 0 may be formed entire with the support of the ladder,as shown in Fig. 5. When the ladder is unfolded, the lower end of theupright G rests upon the ground, as shown in Fig. 1, and when thisupright is folded against the upright-support it is held in position bymeans of a chain, f, which is attached to its upper end, passed over apulley, and attached to a lever, H, having a toothed segment, 9, on oneend, with which a pawl, g, engages. To this pawl a cord, D, is attached,which connects with the chain D. The cord or chain D is connected to thehammers of the gongs I, locatedin an apartment of each story. NVhen thecord or chain D is pulled, the pawl y will release the lever H and allowthe ladder to unfold, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

In the modifications represented in Figs. 7, S, 9, and 10, the upright Bhas first secured to it in any suitable manner strap-sections K, whichare united to each other by interlocking ends, and which are constructedwith ears i i, a V-shaped support, and a seat, It, adapted to receivethe pintle T-shaped head of the rung. The folding uprightG of themodification is semi-cylindrical, and is provided with yielding wings onn, which are adapted to clasp closely the tubular upright A. when theladder is folded, and thus inclose and protect the joints of the rungs.

To the inner side of the upright G are rigidly secured straps N, whichare constructed with cars at a, to which is pivoted a T-shaped head, I,that is rigidly bolted to the rod M, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

The Wings of the strap N are riveted to the upright G, and add strengthand stiffness to it.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, 1s-

1. A fire-escape ladder constructed with a stationary tubular upright,in combination with the folding upright G and the rungs jointed to theuprights, and adapted to operate substantially in the manner and for thepurposes described.

2. In a fire-escape ladder, the combination of a stationary upright, B,an angular bracket, E, having flange b, lip I), and swivel-studs c,

the folding angular upright G, and the rungs pivotally connecting thesaid uprights, substantially as set forth.

3. In a fire-escape ladder, the combination my own I affix my signaturein presence of two,

witnesses.

vineit W. BLANCI-IARD.

\Vitnesses:

H. P. SISSON, JOHN R. BERAIFE.

